Publishers Weekly
02/27/2023
In this well-paced series opener by Lu (the Skyhunter duology), a secret agent teams up with a pop star to bring down a powerful crime syndicate. Chinese American 19-year-old Winter Young, “the most famous superstar in the world,” never imagined he’d be involved in a covert spy operation, until he’s recruited by espionage organization the Panacea Group—the institution his late older brother belonged to before his death. Winter is soon partnered with 19-year-old operative Sydney Cossette, a white polyglot hiding a fatal lung condition. Their mission: take down crime boss Eli Morrison, who’s suspected of transporting something called “chemical warfare’s answer to the atomic bomb.” Under the guise of attending and performing at Eli’s daughter’s multiday 19th birthday celebration, Winter—with Sydney disguised as his bodyguard—must infiltrate Eli’s inner circle and gather as much information as possible without getting caught. As the mission unfolds, Winter and Sydney contend with their growing romantic feelings toward each other while diving deeper into Eli’s nefarious deeds. Via Winter and Sydney’s deftly cultivated budding romance, brimming with barbed banter and moments of earnest, emotional resonance, Lu crafts a lively action adventure full of espionage, mystery, and starry-eyed glamour. Ages 14–up. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Stars and Smoke
*A New York Times bestseller!*
*One of Seventeen magazine's most anticipated YAs of 2023!*
“Sexy, funny, action-packed, full of killer characters ready to break your heart and look good doing it. Marie Lu always delivers.” — Leigh Bardugo, #1 New York Times–bestselling author
"Propulsive." — E! News
“At once thrilling and poignant . . . a brilliant, breathtaking ride that will leave you clamoring for the sequel.” — Tahereh Mafi, #1 internationally bestselling author of Shatter Me
"Brings the sparks." — Cosmopolitan
“A nail-biting thriller and a breathless romance, a keen character study and a wildly entertaining international caper . . with characters so charming and wounded and well-crafted that you’ll want them to walk off the page.” — Sabaa Tahir, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of the Ember in the Ashes series and National Book Award Winner All My Rage
"Sure to keep you flying through the pages." — Nerd Daily
“A classic covert caper from one of YA’s brightest stars. If you ever wondered what would happen if a pop star joined Kingsman, this is the book for you.” — Ally Carter, New York Times–bestselling author of Not If I Save You First
"Marie Lu has done it again with an unputdownable, gorgeously written spy caper that will have you rooting for the spies to just kiss already." — Maurene Goo, acclaimed author of Somewhere Only We Know and Throwback
"A propulsive and thrilling joyride from start to finish . . . The dynamic romance will have your heart racing just as much as the mission itself. I haven't smiled through a mystery like this since Knives Out." — Adam Silvera, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of They Both Die at the End
"To my mind, Marie Lu can do no wrong and this may be my favorite novel of hers. Stars and Smoke is thrilling and wonderfully romantic and so much more than that. There is wisdom and real emotional depth pulsing through these pages that’s as gripping as the plot itself." — Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Sun Is Also a Star
"The propulsive, high-stakes plot will hook any spy-novel fan." - Booklist
"The fantasy of a larger-than-life pop idol hero is balanced by Winter’s heart and vulnerability, and there’s depth and a great partnership between Sydney’s edgy Kim Possible and Winter’s pop star James Bond, both in the field and off." - BCCB
"A lively action adventure full of espionage, mystery, and starry-eyed glamour." - Publishers Weekly
"An engrossing thriller that centers the characters at its heart." - Kirkus Reviews
June 2023 - AudioFile
Becca Co's versatile voice and acting experience shine in this new audiobook. Talented young spy Sydney Cossette is hired by an elite covert ops group to infiltrate a notorious crime family. Voiced with the intelligence and take-no-prisoners attitude written by Lu, Sydney comes alive for listeners. Co also gives a suitably haughty yet sincere voice to Sydney's sparring partner in this adventure, Winter, a world-renowned pop star. When the crime boss hires Winter to play at his daughter's private birthday party, the two spies must work together despite their differences. Mild sexual tension, witty banter, plot twists, and close calls will keep listeners engaged. C.F. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2023-03-14
Two 19-year-olds endeavor to bring down an evil villain—and resist their draw to one another—in this romantic thriller.
International superstar Winter Young is bewildered when Panacea, a secret organization with ties to the CIA, briefly abducts him following one of his concerts and suggests that he should work for them as they attempt to infiltrate the shadowy empire of an ultrawealthy tycoon who is poised to unleash a deadly new chemical agent on the world. The shipping magnate’s daughter is a huge fan of Winter’s, and a private concert for her birthday gives him the perfect cover. Winter is further taken aback when he’s introduced to Sydney Cossette, the young Panacea agent who will pose as his bodyguard during the operation, finding her abrasive and surly. Lu vividly sketches a high-stakes world in which the glitz of money and power forms a nicely juxtaposed background for curmudgeonly Sydney, whose traumatic background provides ample character motivation, and likable Winter, whose kind decency is of as much import as the sometimes-gushing descriptions of his beauty and grace. Tech gadgetry and well-paced action sequences will keep readers engaged, and while it’s never really in doubt that the pair are attracted to each other, their volley of insults and awkwardness is clever and fun. Winter is Chinese American and has previously had a relationship with another guy; Sydney is cued White, and diversity is woven into the large supporting cast.
An engrossing thriller that centers the characters at its heart. (Thriller. 14-18)
